Between the day before the entry into force of zero VAT and last Wednesday, May 17, the price of the basket of essential goods 41 food products covered by this measure has shrunk by 10.96 euros. The basket went from costing 138.77 euros to costing 127.81 euros, which represents a decrease of 7.9%, according to the accounts carried out by the Portuguese Association for Consumer Defense (Deco).

At issue is the monitoring of 41 of the 46 foods – which include turkey, chicken, horse mackerel, hake, onion, potato, carrot, banana, apple, orange, rice, spaghetti, sugar, milk, cheese or butter – which, since 18 April, became exempt from VAT, following the tripartite agreement between the Government, distribution and production.

Salted butter and long-grain rice were the products that registered the greatest price correction since the entry into force of zero VAT, accounting for drops of 2% and 1%, respectively. On the other hand, in this same period, the biggest rise continues to be seen in liquid yoghurt, whose price soared by 14%, followed by crustless bread (7%) and tuna in vegetable oil and broccoli (both with price increases of around 6%).